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For Amber, that had to have been one of the most surprising turn of events that she had come across. As one of the few students who knew all of Cor Fortium's social buzz, she would have never guessed that super ladies' man Daniel would have an eye for either her or Layla. And for Amber, she hoped that he would go for Layla, because she really wanted to be Blake's plus one, even though Blake was already hers in a different sense.
"Do you know which one of us he wanted to ask out?" Layla asked Blake in curiosity. Blake shook her head.
"Sorry. Couldn't get it out of him," Blake replied with a sigh, "All I know is that he's got in interest in one of you two. He was talking to me about how he had seen me constantly hanging out with you two, calling you two 'cuties' and asking me about why you guys came over to my place during the summer." Amber and Layla blinked in surprise. How did word travel that fast about their summer?
"Do they know about... you know..." Amber asked. Blake shook her head.
"No way. I doubt people would look that deeply into my life. Besides, it's probably because you two are the only ones who have actually been to my place," Blake explained.
"What do you mean? No one else has been to your house?" Layla asked in confusion. Amber felt the same way. Knowing Blake's popularity, it seemed really off that none of her friends had ever been into her apartment.
"It's just as you think. You two are the first and probably the only ones who will ever have known my exact place of residence," Blake clarified, "Not even Daniel has been there. Which makes the rumors spread faster than a wildfire."
"That would explain why we've had some people staring at us today," Amber noted quietly to herself. It wasn't apparent, but Amber did notice some of the students in the classroom stealing glances at her and Layla today. It felt uncomfortable, to say the least. It felt as if they were judging her for whatever reason. She tried her best not to pay them any mind, but it lingered in her mind for the rest of the day.
"Oh, I see. Sorry about that," Blake said softly, scratching the back of her head, "I didn't mean to-"
"No, it's okay. I expected just as much," Layla spoke up this time, "After all, not many people can really say that they have been that close to you, to say the least. And since we were really the only two who have been up at your place, it shouldn't be surprising that people would wonder why we were such a special case." Amber looked over to Layla with worry. She hoped that this kind of attention wasn't going to hurt Layla. Not like it did before.

Amber remembered the first time she met Layla back when they were in middle school. She had found the poor girl pushed to a wall by a group of boys giving her dirty looks and kicking her around. She could clearly remember the names they called her. Disgusting bitch, daughter of a whore, and many other gruesome names. It made her angry to see such an innocent girl be hurt in such a way. So much so that Amber marched over to the boys and punched one of them to the ground, screaming and pulling at his hair with a fury unmatched by anyone. The boys scrambled away in fear and tears as Amber regained her breath, standing protectively in front of Layla.
"U-Um," Young Layla spoke up tentatively to Amber. Hearing Layla's soft voice, Amber turned around, breathing still labored. She looked Layla over and noticed her bruises and scrapes from the boys earlier. Layla watched as Amber's hands curled into fists of anger, as if she was ready to find those boys again and go for round two.
"Why'd they do that to you? You did nothing to them," Amber growled angrily. Layla wrapped her arms around herself in fear, recalling what the boys did to her. Amber noticed Layla's discomfort and heaved a sigh.
"Whatever it is, I hope they don't come back. It isn't right to just pick on someone for no reason," Amber huffed.
"It always happens," Layla muttered lowly.
"Huh?"
"It's always been like this. Because of my mom," Layla spoke up slightly, lowering her head, "Once they find out that I was the child of a rape victim, they always act like this." Now Layla was the one curling her hands into angry fists. "It isn't my fault that I was born like this," she continued, anger and hatred spilling out, "I didn't ask for my mom to suffer like that. I didn't ask to be the living proof of what that man did to her. But it just so happens to always be the case. It's just how the world works." Layla was out of breath by the time she had finished her tirade. She felt lighter and much more relaxed than she had ever been in her life. She looked over to thank Amber, but kept her silence. Amber was in a whole new state of anger. It almost radiated off of her like an aura ready to tear down everything in the girl's path. A part of Layla felt relieved and comforted by the display of anger for her sake, but at the same time she felt terrified by how quickly it transformed her right in front of her eyes. Amber let out a breath, calming herself down.
"Sorry. I got a bit riled up there," Amber apologized after noticing Layla's subtle fear, "It's just... it didn't seem right for people to treat you like that. Tell you what," she stuck out one hand, "My name's Amber. I'll be your friend so that you don't get hurt anymore. What do you say?" Layla just stared at first. She had just met this girl, and she had no idea what kind of person Layla was. Yet for some reason, this same girl decided that she wanted to be the friend of a bullied girl. It sounded mad, almost to the point where she could have qualified to be in an insane asylum. Despite that, Layla found herself taking Amber's outstretched hand with a smile.
"My name's Layla," she responded in kind, "Nice to meet you."

Back at the dorm, Layla sat in the living room table doing homework when she felt two arms wrap around her neck from behind. Layla didn't bother to look up, a smile slowly emerging onto her face.
"Something the matter, Amber?" Layla asked softly, asking the girl who hugged her from behind. Amber kept her arms around her best friend, recalling the days back in middle school where she always wanted to protect Layla from those bullies. She knew that it wasn't the case anymore, but she couldn't help but to feel the solemn nostalgia from back then, when everything social in school was risky. Layla's smile faded as she noticed Amber's uncharacteristic silence.
"Amber? Is everything okay?" Layla asked, looking up to see Amber's face hovering above her head. The girl smiled. That's right; it's all in the past now, she reminded herself, what matters is that she's much happier now.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Amber replied to her worried friend, "Just remembering some stuff from the old days. Back in middle school when we first met." Layla sighed.
"Does this have to do with the attention we got from the summer? With Blake?" Layla questioned. Amber gave a curt nod.
"I'm just worried, that's all," Amber explained herself, "You worked so hard to finally be happy with who you are. I don't want you to go back to those days where you were alone and isolated. It hurts me to think that it might happen if things turn for the worst, you know."
"Amber," Layla's voice trailed as she watched her friend let go of her and walk towards their dorm windows to stare out into the night. This isn't like her, Layla noted, I guess she really is worried about me after all. Layla put her pencil down and got up from the table, walking over towards Amber. As she approached her friend, she couldn't help but to hear Amber muttering to herself. Some of the things that she heard were things that she recalled were prominent back in middle school. Names that she had long forgotten raced through her mind as she watched Amber's solemn look. Layla tenderly embraced Amber from behind, tears welling in her eyes as she remembered those horrible days. Amber shook herself out of her reverie as she felt the wet teardrops seep through her t-shirt, finally taking notice that Layla was there.
"Layla, I'm sorry," Amber spoke with a sigh, "I didn't mean to make you remember. It's just... I'm worried, that's all." She didn't hear a response, but felt a nod from the other girl. Amber cursed inwardly at herself for not realizing earlier. Layla had remained strong for so long with those memories haunting her that she inadvertently caused the feelings of the past to resurface. Layla, on the other hand, felt a sense of sorrow towards her long-time best friend. Amber was very capable of masking her emotions in a much more cheerful facade around others, and she was the only one who could see Amber's true emotions whenever she let her guard down. Moments like this were one of those times.
"I'll be fine. You're here with me this time," Layla said quietly, tightening her hug around Amber's waist, "It wouldn't be like in middle school. I'm not alone anymore, remember?" Amber hummed in response, feeling a sense of relief. Maybe this time, Layla will be fine.

As long as you're okay then I am too, Amber thought to herself, placing a caring hand on Layla's, that's how much I care about you, as well as why you will never hear that from me.